Full Breakdown
EU Grants Battery-Removal Exemptions to Wearables After U.S. Push and Safety Review
7/16/2026, 12:06:09 PM
Core Event: Exemptions Adopted for Wearables
On 14 July 2026 the European Commission adopted a delegated act that adds six product categories—including smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, AirPods and the Apple Watch—to the list of exemptions from the EU Batteries Regulation’s requirement that consumers be able to remove and replace batteries. The act will take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU unless the European Parliament or the Council objects, paving the way for the devices to remain sealed while the broader regulation rolls out in 2027.
Background & Context
The Batteries Regulation, finalized in 2023, obliges most portable-battery products sold in the bloc to provide user-replaceable batteries to extend device lifespans and improve material recovery. Early exemptions covered “wet appliances” such as electric toothbrushes, where opening the enclosure could introduce water-related safety risks. After a public consultation that began in 2025, the Commission concluded that the compact, sealed designs of many wearables present similar technical and safety challenges, prompting the new exemptions.
Key Figures & Groups
- European Commission – the executive body proposing the exemption.
- Andrew Puzder, U.S. Ambassador to the EU – voiced American industry concerns.
- Meta Platforms Inc. – developer of the Ray-Ban-branded smart glasses affected by the rule.
- Apple Inc. – whose Watch and AirPods now fall under the exemption.
- Cláudio Texeira, head of digital policy at BEUC (the European Consumer Organisation) – leading consumer-rights criticism.
- European Data Protection Board (EDPB), chaired by Anu Talus – overseeing ongoing privacy investigations into smart glasses.
Data & Statistics
- Six new product categories were added to the exemption list.
- The Apple Watch and AirPods are explicitly covered, as are Meta’s smart glasses.
- Meta reported worldwide sales of more than 7 million smart-glass units in 2025, though distribution in the EMEA region remains incomplete.
- The delegated act becomes law 20 days after publication, with the full Batteries Regulation slated for a 2027 rollout.
Official Statements & Responses
The Commission’s spokesperson emphasized that the proposal “has not given in to anyone’s pressure” and stems from a “broad public consultation with consumer associations, industry stakeholders and the Member States.” The exemption is framed as a safety measure, noting that opening sealed enclosures can create water-infiltration hazards or other technical risks. Apple points to its existing Self-Service Repair program and authorized-provider network for battery servicing, while Meta has not issued a comment.
Criticism & Opposition
BEUC’s Cláudio Texeira warned that “Europe should not dilute consumer protections,” arguing that the exemptions must be “genuine exceptions based on clear technical and safety evidence, not industry pressure.” Privacy watchdogs in Ireland, Italy and Sweden have also raised concerns that smart glasses can record individuals without clear indication, a issue the European Data Protection Board is reviewing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “so broad and so restrictive that it prevents the sale of this wonderful, jointly developed, U.S.-European product from being sold in the European Union” — Andrew Puzder, U.S. Ambassador to the EU
- “You have to focus on allowing businesses to grow and allowing businesses to innovate,” — Andrew Puzder
- “has not given in to anyone’s pressure,” — European Commission spokesperson
- “Europe should not dilute consumer protections. Smart glasses are already raising important concerns about privacy, security and consumer choice. Exemptions from EU battery removability rules should remain exactly that: genuine exceptions based on clear technical and safety evidence, not industry pressure. Exempting these devices … risks setting a dangerous precedent.” — Cláudio Texeira, BEUC
- “Unlike smartphones, our glasses have an LED light that activates when someone prompts the glasses to take a photo or video that will be saved to their gallery. The glasses feature tamper detection technology to prevent people from covering that light. Unless users choose to share media they've captured with Meta, that media also stays on the device,” — European Data Protection Board (chair Anu Talus)
What’s Next
The delegated act now proceeds to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, each with a two-month window to raise objections. If unchallenged, the exemption will be published in the Official Journal and become binding 20 days later. Meanwhile, the EDPB is expected to finalize its report on smart-glass privacy risks this summer, which could shape additional regulatory measures beyond battery-removal rules.
